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Overview

A research degree is a unique opportunity to develop new skills, problem-solving abilities, and think logically, creatively and critically. Be supported by a large community of academic staff with experience conducting research projects, presenting papers to international conferences and publishing academic journal articles and books.

You will expand and develop specialist knowledge in the field of education and provide evidence of independent thought and the ability to manage a research project. You will improve your career progression with professional skills that will make you competitive in your field and make a valuable contribution to new knowledge.

Careers

Career opportunities include:

management-level positions in industry or government

research in government laboratories, research institutions or in industry

commissioning editor for a specialist academic journal

presenting at conferences

employment with a university conducting research

visiting key international research institutes

Course structure

The standard duration of a Masters Degree (Research) is two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent, although in certain circumstances the degree may be completed in eighteen months.

In some cases the student may be required to complete approved coursework units such as laboratory skills or research design as part of the Masters Degree (Research).

The course objectives are to produce graduates who have the following knowledge and skills:

a body of knowledge that includes the understanding of recent developments in one or more discipline

advanced knowledge of research principles and methods applicable to the field of work or learning

cognitive skills to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge and to reflect critically on theory and its application

cognitive, technical and creative skills to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and to apply established theories to different bodies of knowledge or practice

cognitive, technical and creative skills to generate and evaluate complex ideas and concepts at an abstract level

cognitive and technical skills to design, use and evaluate research and research method

communication and technical skills to present a coherent and sustained argument and to disseminate research results to specialist and non-specialist audience

technical and communication skills to design, evaluate, implement, analyse, theorise and disseminate research that makes a contribution to knowledge

This knowledge and these skills will be demonstrated through the planning and execution of a substantial piece of research

with creativity and initiative

with a high level of personal autonomy and accountability, demonstrating expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a learner

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take, and optional \'elective\' units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admission & pathways

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course.

Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

(a) Academic achievement and preparation to a level that is sufficient to undertake masters level research demonstrated in any one or more of the following:
i. Qualified, at minimum, for a bachelors degree at a standard considered by the University to be sufficiently meritorious (normally Distinction average in the final year); or

ii. Qualified for any other award judged by the University to be of a relevant and appropriate standard and have:
•Produced evidence of professional experience; and
•Fulfilled any other conditions relating to prerequisite studies which the University may impose.

(b) Demonstrated competency in English sufficient to work at research masters level, through meeting one or more of the following criteria:
i. Successful completion of one of the degrees stipulated under a) i) – ii) above with English as the language of instruction and assessment and undertaken in a predominantly English speaking context; or
ii. Been taught for two of the past five years at a tertiary institution where English was the primary language of instruction; or
iii. Achieved an overall band score of not less than 6.5 in an International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) test with no individual band score below 6.0; or
iv. Achieved a score of not less than 92 and no section score less than 22 in the internet-based Teaching of English Foreign Language (TOEFL) test; or
v. Documented evidence of English proficiency equivalent to the above.

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU.
Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels,
so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through
to postgraduate study.

Contact the Graduate Research Centre

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.